Convertible table rack



Sept, 11, 1962 J. D. BROWN 3,053,396

CONVERTIBLE TABLE RACK Filed Nov. 1, 1960 United States Patent 3,053,396 CONVERTIBLE TABLE RACK Joseph D. Brown, 11 Forbes Blvd., Tuckahoe, N.Y. Filed Nov. 1, 1960, Ser. No. 66,516 2 Claims. (Cl. 211-2) The present invention relates to improvements in convertible table racks and tray tables.

In a large proportion of modern residential establishments the spatial layouts and the normal arrangements of household equipment have made it desirable to employ a number of tray tables for the serving of food and drinks, particularly when several guests are to be accommodated in the most convenient manner. Under circumstances not calling for use of the tray tables it is also desirable that the latter be stored in small space, for which reason such tables have been made collapsible and in some cases adapted to be stored in a common rack or frame. However, in forms wherein the rack itself has been utilized as part of an additional tray table, it has hitherto been found impractical to effectively collapse the additional table combination, so that the desired objective of minimum storage space has not been attained. A further disadvantage has been that, due to the usual presence of casters or the like on all legs of the rack, the table formed therewith has been positionally unstable, tending to accidental rolling with danger of spilling food and drinks. In order to eliminate the above and related defects, one object of the present invention therefore is to provide an improved storage rack and tray table combination wherein the tray thereof may be stored in substantially fiat stacked relation with other collapsed tray tables.

A further object is to provide a rack of the above type comprising two generally U-shaped frame members pivoted together in criss-cross or scissor relation, the sides or legs of one member being bent in profile in reverse curvilinear angular offset shape with upper portions parallel to but spaced from the sides or legs of the other frame member when the rack is in storing position, thus forming -a cradle adapted to hold all the collapsed tables of the set in a closely packed assembly.

A further object encompasses a rack of the above type including releasable latches for retaining the parts in storing relation, and wherein upon release of the latches the other frame member may be inverted to complete a table frame adapted to receive the tray provided therefor.

A further object is to provide non-swivelling wheels on the foot extremities of the offset member only, frictional contact of the other frame member with the floor acting as a brake against accidental shifting, either when the rack has been converted to a table component or when it is in storing arrangement.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become evident during the course of the following description in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front perspective view showing a typical set of tray tables and rack assembled in storing arrangement;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical sectional view of the same in the plane 22, FIG. 1;

FIGURE 3 is an exploded view of a tray and rack prior to the conversion of the latter to a table frame;

FIGURE 4 shows the completed conversion of the rack and tray to a table;

FIGURE 5 illustrates one of the other tables making up the set, and

FIGURE 6 is a detail illustration of one of the retaining latches. i

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the numeral 10 denotes a rack made up of inner and outer substantially U-shaped members 11 and 12, preferably of light tubing. The adjacent side portions or legs of the two members are secured together by means of transverse pivot pins or rivets 13 so that the two U-shaped members may be swung or scissored with respect to each other into vari ous positions as hereinafter set forth.

The legs 14 of the inner rack member 11 are formed in profile with reverse bends which define with the cross bar 15 of the U an upper yoke 16 ofiset forwardly and directed at a rearward angle with respect to the straight lower portions 17 of the legs. The lower extremities of the leg portions 17 are fitted with wheels 18 of relatively large diameter, these wheels being mounted on axle pins 19 rigidly held in the leg portions to avoid any wobble or castering eflects. The outer rack member 12 is formed with straight legs 20. 'In the normal storing arrangement as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the legs 20 are directed upward so that the cross-bar portion 21 rests on the floor 22 as a front support for the assembly. A pair of strap latches 23, illustrated in enlarged exterior detail in FIG. 6, are pivoted at 23 to the leg portions of the outer rack member 12 and are adapted to be swung into engagement with buttons 24 secured to the legs 17 of the inner rack member 11, thus positively locking the two rack members in their storing relation as shown.

The length of the latches 23 is such that when the two rack members are locked in storing relation as noted, the yoke portion 16 is substantially parallel to the legs 20 of the outer rack member 12, and together with the off-setting bent side portions 25, forms therewith a cradle adapted to receive a number of collapsed tray tables 26 (see FIG. 5). Each of these tables 26 consists of a pair of U-shaped frame members 27 and 28 crosspivoted so as to be collapsible, and a tray 29 having on the under sides of its longitudinal borders spaced spring clips 30 adapted to snap on the cross-bars 32 of the frame members 27 and 28. When in use the tray 29 is clipped to both frame members, forming a convenient table as illustrated in FIG. 5. The lower ends of the table legs are provided with small caps of plug feet 31, preferably of rubber or other plastic and similar feet are" provided on the rack frame member .12.

When it is desired to store the tables 26 the tray 29 of each is disengaged from its frame member 27 but retained in engagement with the second member 28, after which the combination is collapsed flat, with the tray lying inwardly along the frame. Thereafter the various collapsed tables are stacked in the rack 10 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the inner rack frame member 11 being suificiently narrower than the table frames to permit the latter to be readily passed over the yoke 16 into the previously described cradle. When in place the various tables are supported vertically by the off-setting side frame portions 25 which underlie the corners of the trays 29. The forward and rearward extent of the racking space is just suflicient to accommodate all the tables 26 plus one extra tray 29a included either at the front or back of the assembly so that the entire set is retained snugly stacked in minimum compass. If desired, the latches 23 may be so proportioned as to cause the yoke 16 to exert a slight resilient clamping pressure on the stacked assembly, thus providing an additional preventive against any tendency toward rattling as the combination is moved over door sills or other floor irregularities. Due to the lightness and extreme compactness of the racked assembly the latter may readily be tipped rearwardly and wheeled about somewhat in the wellknown manner of a two-wheeled market cart. The rigid transverse axial mounting of the wheels 18 makes ac- 3 curate steering control easy, while the relatively large diameter of the wheels provides easy rolling even over floor obstructions or irregularities as mentioned above. On the other hand, when the assembly is in stationary position as shown, the direct frictional contact of the crossbar 21 with the floor 22 prevents accidental rolling, for example if the device is stored or otherwise placed on a slightly inclined surface.

When all the tables 26 are in use and an extra table is needed, the bare rack 10, shown from the rear in FIG. 3 for greatest clarity, is first converted to a table frame in the following manner: The latches 23 are released, the inner frame member 11 is tipped over above the wheels 18, and the outer frame member 12 is inverted to bring its feet 31 in contact with the floor and its cross-bar 21 at the top. The tray 29a is then snapped into engagement with the cross-bars of both frame members, completing the conversion to a table as shown in FIG. 4. The latches 23 may if desired be swung flat along the inner sides of the member 12, sufficient friction being provided between the parts to retain the latches in this folded position in which they are out of the way and substantially concealed. The tray 29a is preferably a duplicate of the others in the set and the height of the converted frame is the same as that of the other table frames, so that the added table effectively matches the others. The direct friction of the feet 31 on the floor acts as a brake against rolling and, together with the inability of the wheels 18 to swivel or caster, effectively eliminates danger of accidental shifting and spillage as previously mentioned.

Obviously the device may be built and proportioned to embody a greater or lesser number of component units than those shown herein, the trays may have straight instead of curved ends, etc. Thus while the invention has been set forth in preferred form it is not limited to the exact embodiment illustrated, as various modificalions may be made without departing from the spirit thereof within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A storage rack comprising, a first and a second frame of substantially U-shape laterally pivoted together in scissor relation and movable with respect to each other selectively into a storing position and another position with the frames angularly disposed one relative to the other, the cross bar of said first U-shaped frame mem her being at the top thereof in both said positions while the cross bar of said second U-shape frame member is at the bottom thereof in said storing position and at the top thereof in horizontal parallel spaced relation to said cross bar of said first frame member when in said other position, and releasable latching means to normally lock said frame members in said storing position, said first frame member being shaped in profile to form a reverse angularly offset yoke with straight sides substantially parallel to the legs of said second frame member in said storing position defining with said legs a storage cradle when in said storing position.

2. A storage rack according to claim 1 including wheels of substantial diameter rotatably mounted on axles rigidly secured to the lower leg extremities of said first frame member in transverse axial alignment and adapted to provide rolling supports for said frame on an underlying surface, said cross bar of said second U-shaped frame member being adapted to provide a frictional third support for said frame on said surface when said frame members are in said storing position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,666,681 Adler Jan. 19, 1954 2,676,709 Walsh Apr. 27, 1954 2,793,924 Johansson et al May 28, 1957 2,845,317 Orman July 29, 1958 2,851,166 Block Sept. 9, 1958 2,919,809 Dunbar Ian. 5, 1960 2,939,584 Bergman June 7, 1960 2,965,236 Klein Dec. 20, 1960 

